Initiatives

The University’s Strategic Plan, Northwestern Will, provides a framework in which to define our shared goals. University leadership has identified the following set of University Priorities that are grounded in the pillars of Northwestern’s Strategic Plan and will guide our institutional investments.

University Priorities

Our priorities are guided by University values:

Commitment to faculty, and to excellence in research, scholarship, creative work, and teaching

Commitment to freedom of expression

Commitment to rigor and empathy anchored in our values

Commitment to student experience and diversity and inclusion

Commitment to balancing Northwestern’s present and future needs

Our priorities are to:

Enhance the University’s Intellectual Eminence and Impact

Identify and strengthen key intellectual areas

Continue to support interdisciplinary priorities as we build upon areas of existing strength

Enhance faculty experience so that we can continue to be an intellectual destination for scholars

Continue to Build Research Eminence

Grow research funding support across all our schools

Grow research in key intellectual and interdisciplinary areas

Invest in research infrastructure

Enhance innovation and entrepreneurship through building and sustaining a vibrant ecosystem

Support the Student Experience

Ensure all students—undergraduate and graduate—can thrive during their time at Northwestern, with particular emphasis on supporting first generation, low income, and underrepresented students

Enhance Global Academic Reputation and Presence

Implement the recommendations from the work of the Global Strategy Task Force

Lead global engagement with an intellectual agenda that focuses on research themes

Build the University’s global brand, reputation, and presence

Strengthen global interdisciplinary scholarship

Strengthen the Enabling Support for Our Ambitions

Improve the organization and alignment of people, processes, policies, and systems to support the core work of our faculty, students, and staff

Recruit, develop, and retain the next generation of leaders

Foster leadership talent, enhance staff engagement, and become an employer of choice

Continue to enhance relationships in Evanston, Chicago, state, region, and the world

Following is information about ongoing initiatives within the Office of the Provost which engage across the whole University to Discover, Integrate, Connect and Engage, and which reflect our commitment to the above priorities.

Teaching and Learning

Providing an optimal environment in which innovative practices in teaching, pedagogy and student assessment of learning are encouraged to thrive.